Prior studies have found evidence of a relationship between food insecurity and functional limitations among older populations in the USA.

This is a longitudinal investigation of food security in relation to functional limitations, assessed as Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) scores.

The Greater Boston, MA area.

1461 Boston Puerto Rican Health study participants, predominantly (70·5 %) female and aged 57·1 years (sd ± 7·6) at baseline followed for 6·2 (sd ± 0·98) years.

In cross-sectional analysis at baseline, participants reporting severe food insecurity had greater functional limitations (higher ADL; β = 2·34; 95 % CI (1·48, 3·19)) and higher IADL (β = 1·17, 95 % CI (0·68, 1·65)) compared with food secure participants. In longitudinal linear mixed models, severely food insecure participants at baseline had greater functional limitations over 5 years, as assessed by ADL (β = 1·74; 95 % CI (0·95, 2·53); P < 0·001) and IADL (β = 0·93, 95 % CI (0·48, 1·38)) compared with food secure participants. However, baseline food security did not significantly alter the 5-year trajectory in ADL (P-interaction between baseline food security and time for ADL and IADL = 0·41 and 0·47, respectively).

In this cohort of Boston area Puerto Rican adults, those who are food insecure had consistently higher ADL and IADL scores over time, compared with those who are food secure. Baseline food security did not appear to alter the trajectory in ADL or IADL score.

Food pantries and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are widely available resources for individuals facing food insecurity, yet the dietary quality of individuals using both programmes is not well characterised. We describe the dietary intake of individuals in North Texas who use both food pantries and SNAP to identify nutritional gaps and opportunities to improve food assistance programmes.

We analysed baseline data from a randomised controlled trial examining food security and dietary intake. At baseline, we administered the validated, 26-item Dietary Screener Questionnaire (DSQ). We calculated descriptive statistics for dietary intake variables and compared with the 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommended intake values.

Two large food pantries in Dallas County, TX.

Eligible participants were English or Spanish speaking adults receiving SNAP benefits who had used the food pantry within the last 4 months.

We analysed baseline DSQ data from 320 participants (mean age 47 years; 90% female; 45% Black or African American; 37% Hispanic or Latino). Despite receiving SNAP benefits and food pantry assistance, most participants did not meet the minimum recommended intake values for fruits (88.4%), vegetables (97.4%), fibre (90·7%), whole grains (99·7%), dairy products (98·4%) and Ca (83·4%). Furthermore, 73·2% of participants exceeded the maximum recommended intake for added sugar. Still, the gap between median daily intake and recommended daily intake could be partially bridged with food obtained through current food assistance programmes.

Multilevel, coordinated approaches within both SNAP and food pantry networks are needed to improve diet quality in individuals receiving food assistance.

To examine associations of school food availability with student intake frequency and BMI, and whether the number of neighbourhood food outlets modifies these associations.

Baseline assessment of a nationally representative cohort study of US 10th graders. Students reported intake frequency of fruits and vegetables (FV), snacks and soda. BMI was calculated from measured height and weight. Administrators of seventy-two high schools reported the frequency of school availability of FV, snacks and soda. The number of food outlets within 1 km and 5 km were linked with geocoded school addresses. Data were analysed using adjusted linear and logistic mixed models with multiple imputation for missing data.

US 2009–2010.

Totally, 2263 US 10th graders from the Next Generation Health Study (NEXT).

Greater school FV availability was positively associated with student FV intake. Food outlets within 5 km of schools (but not 1 km) attenuated the association of school FV availability with student intake; this was no longer significant at schools with > 58 food outlets within 5 km. School food availability was not associated with student BMI or student snack or soda intake.

School food availability was associated with student intake of FV, but not with snacks, soda or BMI. Attenuation of the observed associations by the school neighbourhood food environment indicates a need to find ways to support healthy student eating behaviours in neighbourhoods with higher food outlet density.

To analyse the direct and indirect associations of experience of racial discrimination on dietary patterns (DP), obesity and abdominal obesity.

This is a cross-sectional population-based study. The main exposure was self-reported experiences of racial discrimination (Experiences of Discrimination scale). The mediator variables were the DP: healthy, Brazilian traditional, sugar and carbohydrates, and fast food. The outcomes were obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) and abdominal obesity (waist circumference ≥ 88 cm for women; ≥ 102 cm for men). Structural equation modelling was applied.

Porto Alegre, Brazil.

Totally, 400 adults aged between 20 and 70 years were participated.

The mean age of participants was 47·2 years (sd = 13·9), and 75 % were women. Experiencing racial discrimination had a positive direct effect on obesity (healthy DP: β = 0·153, P < 0·05; Brazilian DP: β = 0·156, P < 0·05; sugar and carbohydrates DP: β = 0·156, P < 0·05; and fast-food DP: β = 0·153, P < 0·05) and abdominal obesity (healthy DP: β = 0·206, P < 0·01; Brazilian DP: β = 0·210, P < 0·01; sugar and carbohydrates DP: β = 0·204, P < 0·01; and fast-food DP: β = 0·204, P < 0·01). The experience of racial discrimination did not have a direct effect on DP, nor did it exert an indirect effect on obesity and abdominal obesity through any DP.

A higher experience of racial discrimination is associated with obesity and abdominal obesity, independent of diet.

The WHO has urged member states to develop preparedness plans for infant and young child feeding (IYCF) during emergencies. Ireland has no such plan. We aimed to identify the needs of caregivers in Ireland with regards IYCF during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Online survey conducted in May–June 2020.

Ireland, during the first period of severely restricted movement due to COVID-19 (lockdown).

Respondents (n 745) were primary caregivers of a child under 2 years; they were primarily well educated and likely of higher socio-economic status.

Among those who breastfed, being unable to access breast-feeding support groups and being unable to access in-person, one-to-one breast-feeding assistance were the biggest challenges reported. Nearly three quarters of those who had their babies during lockdown reported these challenges: 72·8 % and 68·8 %, respectively. For those using formula, the main challenges were structural in nature; approximately two-thirds of those who had their baby prior to lockdown feared there would be formula shortages and a third were unable to purchase formula due to shortages.

Regardless of how their babies were fed, parents in Ireland experienced multiple challenges with infant feeding during the COVID-19 crisis. Breast-feeding should be protected, supported and promoted, particularly during an infectious disease pandemic. Additionally, assurances around supply of infant formula could reduce parental stress during a pandemic or emergency. An IYCF in emergencies plan would clearly set out how we could best support and protect the nutrition of the most vulnerable members of our population.

To determine whether Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) food benefit redemption is associated with discontinuing WIC participation, failure to recertify, overall and by race/ethnicity-language preference and participant category.

Retrospective cohort study, using multivariable modified Poisson regression to determine risk ratios (RR) and 95 % CI for associations between household-level food benefit redemption (interval-scaled benefit redemption percent, averaged across WIC benefit subcategories, for the final 3, 6 and 12 months of certification) and failure to recertify in WIC, overall and within strata of race/ethnicity-language preference and participant category.

WIC administrative data collected November 2019–July 2021 in Southern California.

WIC-participating children ages 0–3 years at initial certification from November 2019 to May 2020 (n 41 263).

In all time periods, and for all subgroups, every 10 % lower food benefit redemption was associated with increased risk of failure to recertify. Among households without missing food benefit data, failure to recertify risk peaked at 505 % higher (RR = 6·05, 95 % CI (5·63, 6·51)) in households with average 12-month redemption <10 % compared with households with ≥70 % redemption.

Lower WIC benefit redemption was associated with higher risk of failing to recertify among participants. Focused nutrition education around benefit redemption may improve WIC retention and child health through incremental increases in food benefit redemption.

To assess the prevalence of promotions on foods and non-alcoholic drinks purchased by New Zealand households and to determine if they vary according to healthiness of products.

We undertook a cross-sectional analysis of Nielsen New Zealand Homescan® 2018/19 panel data. We conducted multivariate analyses to examine the variability in quantities of healthy v. unhealthy food and beverage products purchased on promotion. Promotion was self-reported by the panellist. Healthiness of products was measured by the Health Star Rating (HSR) system. We also carried out a subgroup analysis for beverages according to the threshold of < 5 g v. ≥ 5 g sugar per 100 ml content of products.

The Nielsen New Zealand Homescan® data were linked with two New Zealand Food Composition Databases (Nutritrack and the FOODfiles).

Food and beverage purchases data by 1800 panel households were used.

Overall, 46 % (1 803 601/3 940 458) of all purchases made were on promotion. Compared with purchases of food and beverage products with HSR < 3·5 (unhealthy), food and beverage products with HSR ≥ 3·5 (healthy) were significantly less likely to be on promotion (OR = 0·78, 95 % CI 0·77, 0·79). The subgroup analysis for beverages shows that products with < 5 g sugar per 100 ml were significantly less likely to be on promotion than those with ≥ 5 g sugar per 100 ml (OR = 0·77, 95 % CI 0·75, 0·79).

Policies to improve healthy food retailing should focus on increasing the promotion of healthier food and drink options in stores and supermarkets.

To assess the outcome of severe wasting in infants below 6 months of age.

A prospective observational study conducted between January 2017 and October 2018.

A medical college-affiliated hospital in Eastern Delhi, catering mainly to the urban poor population.

All children with severe wasting (weight-for-length Z-score (WLZ) < −3 sd) between 1 and 6 months of age, requiring hospitalisation.

Out of fifty children enrolled, during hospitalisation, forty-two (84 %) recovered (WLZ > −3 sd) and discharged; the median (interquartile range (IQR)) duration of stay was 9·5 (6·5, 13·0) d. After 100 d of enrolment, sustained cure (WLZ > −2 SD) could be achieved in only fifteen (30 %) infants, while another fourteen (28 %) recovered from severe wasting, but remained in moderately wasted state (WLZ between −2 and −3 sd). Overall, there were three (6 %) deaths (all during first week of hospitalisation); three (6 %) relapses and fifteen (30 %) defaulters (5, 5, 2, 1 and 2 defaulted during hospitalisation at day 15, day 60, day 75 and day 90, respectively).

The overall recovery rate from severe wasting in infants below 6 months of age was below the acceptable levels. In order to achieve better long-term outcome, community linkage services after discharge from hospital are required for supervised feeding, close monitoring and supportive care.

The current study was conducted to assess the nutritional status and associated risk factors among foreign students residing at King Saud University for different periods and to explore its correlations.

A cross-sectional study was conducted during the spring semester of 2018. A total of 400 male students aged 18–35 years had participated in the current study after signing a written consent form according to Helsinki Declaration.

A structural questionnaire was used to collect data on daily food intake and habits and socio-economic characteristics. Nutrients of food intake were assessed using the Esha programme and compared with that of dietary requirement intake (DRI). A body composition analyser was used to measure body fat (BF), visceral fat (VF) and BMI. Spearman correlation coefficients and simple regression analysis were performed to determine associations between variables.

Foreign students residing for different periods (<6 months: 200 students and >6 months: 200 students) were used as subjects.

The students who stayed <6 months consumed lower level of some nutrients than that of the DRI compared with those stayed >6 months. Overweight and obesity were more common among students who stayed >6 months with high values of BF and VF. Several risk factors were positively or negatively correlated with the students’ nutrition proxies.

Most of the students who stayed >6 months are suffered from overweight. Some independent variables were found to be significantly correlated with the students’ nutrition proxies either positively or negatively.

We examined the association between food insecurity and positive childhood experiences (PCE).

Outcome measure was number of PCE and seven PCE constructs. Food insecurity was assessed with a three-category measure that ascertained whether the respondent could afford and choose to eat nutritious food. We then used bivariate and multivariable Poisson and logistic regressions to analyse the relationship between food insecurity and the outcome measures. The analyses were further stratified by age (≤ 5, 6–11 and 12–17 years).

The National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) from 2017 to 2020, a nationally representative sample of children and adolescents in the USA.

Parents/caregivers who reported on their children’s experiences of PCE and food insecurity from the 2017–2020 NSCH (n 114 709).

Descriptively, 22·13 % of respondents reported mild food insecurity, while 3·45 % of respondents reported moderate to severe food insecurity. On multivariable Poisson regression analyses, there was a lower rate of PCE among children who experienced mild (incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 0·93; 95 % CI 0·92, 0·94) or moderate/severe food insecurity (IRR = 0·84; 95 % CI 0·83, 0·86) compared with those who were food secure. We found an inverse relationship between food insecurity and rate of PCE across all age categories.

Our study finding lends evidence to support that interventions, public health programmes, as well as public health policies that reduce food insecurity among children and adolescents may be associated with an increase in PCE. Longitudinal and intervention research are needed to examine the mechanistic relationship between food insecurity and PCE across the life course.

Iodine-deficiency disorders, due to insufficiency of iodine in the diet, are a global public health problem. The Kenyan Food, Drugs and Chemical Substances Act stipulates that processed retail-available edible salts contain 50–84 mg of potassium iodate (KIO3) per kilogram of salt. The present study determined the status of KIO3 levels in commercial salts, for public health action.

As part of the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2013, field workers collected salt samples from seven different local manufacturers/packers across eight regions of the country and sent them to the National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) for KIO3 titration analysis.

A total of 539 samples were collected and analysed at NPHL. The samples had a mean KIO3 of 62 mg/kg. Thirty-three (6 %) samples had KIO3 of <25 mg/kg; ninety-eight (18 %) had 25–49 mg/kg; 335 (62 %) had 50–84 mg/kg; and seventy-three (13 %) had KIO3 of >84 mg/kg.

The study found that 62 % of salts sampled met the Kenyan standards, 24 % were below the required limits and 13 % were above the recommended range. Continuous monitoring of edible salts at the retail level is important to detect brands not adhering to standards and trace them for remedy. However, governmental efforts should be directed to the quality control and quality assurance of the salt-manufacturing industries.